Yesterday the Nokomis Obagijigan project was fortunate to spend some time with Animikiikwe, Christina Woods, from Bois Forte. She shared her split toe moccasin style, pattern, and sewing style she learned from Margaret Hill (Mille Lacs). Christina took the time to look at our attempts-some better than others- at this style, help us learn about materials, puckering, and how we can improve what we are doing. We are all learners. One of the big pieces of this residency with the Minnesota Historical Society is the opportunity to learn and grow ourselves. As a round toe moccasin maker, we feel confident in our ability to both create, teach, and make patterns from this style. But the split toe, quite frankly, has...
Cultural Art belongs to us all. It is our inheritance. And we are all just the conduits. For those of us on the end of teaching and sharing about our cultural arts, we can often empty out our rivers. Lately I've been feeling that I'd given away all I had. When we feel the river running dry it is time to find the sources that fill us up. I know what I need is some time with people on the step above me. I need some time with our elder artists, historians, and mentors. They carry stories, information, laughter, and are so full of the wisdom of experience. This weekend I spent time with one of my mentors Wendy Savage, expert moccasin...
Strange thing about being an Indigenous person in this middle part of life, we are now (rightfully so) expected to carry forward the gifts we are given. The work of our generation is largely one of revitalization, recovery, and carrying on. Today I held tiny hands and danced. We shared dance stories, styles, songs, and our laughter with 150 headstart students today. Its hard at this age to know what they hold onto. What always stays though is the way the heart feels. Not everyone is a dancer but we all have things that need to be shaken off. This is the gift of our way of life. We have the surface and we have all that lays beneath. And...
House of Howes Artist Sarah Agaton Howes has been named one of the Northland's "20 Under 40" Award Recipients for 2015 for her community work in the arts, business, and wellness.
http://www.duluthnewstribune.com/features/3840484-20-under-40-native-leader-artist-takes-inspiration-and-runs-it
Over the past three months Houseofhowes artist Sarah Agaton Howes and the Fond du Lac Reservation has been in a Makazinikewin partnership to invest in their community. In response to high demand and repeated requests, both the Public Health Department, and Community Centers have brought Houseofhowes in to teach Ojibwe Pucker Toe Moccasin Making or "Makazinikewin". We want to be able to have a moccasin maker in each family. This is an investment in our community today and tomorrow. We are building in identity, pride, connection, and community through these Makazinikewin classes. The look of amazement, pride, and joy these artists have is the greatest reward. There is ever increasing demand for our traditional teachings here in Fond du Lac and across...
